The Definitive Green Dragon (Revised, Updated, Combined)

[dragonrider]

To me, the step that stands out the most is the decarboxylation process. It seems like the crucial process of decarboxylation has a variety of techniques, and I would like to join our efforts as herbal scientists to figure out the proper temperature/time for the most potent results.

I used a 200F oven for 20 minutes prior to doing the extraction step. I think that 200F is a safe temperature that will not evaporate any of the good stuff. I've only made green dragon using this decarboxylation technique, so I have nothing to compare to, but the results have been good for me.

If I am mistaken and there is another chemical process taking place here apart from decarboxylation (possibly converting other less psycho-active cannibinoids to more active ones...) please tell me about it and explain why the higher temperatures accomplish that.

I think the oven step is primarily for decarboxylation, not for isomerization (converting less active compounds to more active). I too am interested in knowing if there are any techniques for isomerization. There are laboratory type techniques, but i'm looking for a home kitchen type process that uses food ingredients, not chemicals. I'm trying a few experiments with additional heating and using lemon juice for acidity, but have not done all the comparisions yet. See http://boards.cannabis.com/recipes/1...en-dragon.html

Moving on to other steps in the process, does anyone know of any technique that enhances the extraction rate/amount of THC from the plant material during the water-bath step? I make sure to use everclear and stir pretty often during this step as I have read that there is a thc-rich film which forms in the alcohol during this time that needs to be stirred back in.

I use more Everclear than Master Wu uses. And I also do more than one extraction on the same mash, then combine them together. I think that this extracts all the THC possible.

Lastly, what methods of consuming Green Dragon yield the most complete absorbtion by the body? I read Wu's Green Dragon in Beer posts and this is what I have done for my attempts. I also assume the empty stomach is crucial. Anything else that can be added?

I think the empty stomach is important. I like having it on a day when I'm not planning to accomplish a whole lot, and I have a shot of Green Dragon Liqueur in my coffee in the morning, before breakfast!
I think that adding the green dragon tincture to another alcoholic beverage is probably important if you are making tincture. My process is a bit different from the tincture, and the end result is an alocoholic liqueur. I like the liqueur better because it already has all the alcohol it needs to transport the THC into the body, and I like measuring out shots rather than using an eye dropper --- fewer mistakes if you are measuring ounces, not mls. If you are interested, my technique for making the Green Dragon Liqueur is earlier in this thread.

Master, please get back on this thread, I haven't seen any updated posts in a while!

Yes! Where has Master Wu been? We need your wisdom, Master!